Absolute record of adult baptism in France; and the confirmations are doubled.

10,000 baptisms of adults and 7,000 of teenagers: a huge growth.

Called to be catholic

In France, it has been 20 years since its Episcopal Conference presented an annual report, increasingly detailed, of the baptisms of adults and adolescents, always as Easter approaches.And in recent years, all records in adult and adolescent baptisms have been broken.At Easter 2025, 10,384 adults (18 years or older) will be baptized in France. It is 45% more than the previous year.Almost everyone receives confirmation at the same time as baptism.More than 7,400 teenagers, between 11 and 17 years old, will also be baptized, 33% more than the previous year.

The report and figures can be read here (in French) on the website of the French bishops.The catechumens answer the Episcopal Conference forms and give data, for example, on the religious origin of the new adult Christians in 2025:- family of Christian origin 52%- from Muslim family 4%- family with 2 religions, being one Christian 4%- of Hindu or Buddhist origin 1%- without religion 18%- unknown data 19%- others (Jehovah's Witnesses, shamanism, Mormons, Druss, ancestor worship) 1%Accompanying and training the adult catechumens there are 9,400 lay people, almost 1,400 priests, about 350 religious and 330 deacons.All these figures are a new record, surpassing those of 2024.Catherine Lemoine, the delegate for adolescents of the Episcopal Conference, notes that "this generation of young people aged 15 to 25 is really on the move." "They feel much more comfortable talking about their faith, social networks also drive it, and they are active in their faith, they want to go to mass alone," he adds.A sign of the growth of interest among young people is the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes from the Ile-de-France region (Paris and surroundings) that brings together about 13,500 high school students this April.Another interesting sign is that last Ash Wednesday many parishes saw unknown young people arrive, usually invited by other young parishioners or catechumens.In Nantes, the priest Jean-Baptiste Siboulet, chaplain for the universities and member of the Emmanuel Community, accompanies 17 students who will be baptized at Easter. "They make me happy. The catechumens are like the apple of my eye," he says.Siboulet notes that for a couple of years, many young people have been interested in Lent, perhaps as a challenge, even before the figure of Jesus. They understand that it has to do with "a little fasting, a little prayer, going to mass" and Siboulet suspects that perhaps it has to do with a "Ramadan effect" (they see Muslim friends fast and feel challenged, they want to "do Lent")."Living Lent is one thing, but to understand Easter it is necessary to have found Jesus Christ," warns the priest. Consider that many young people seek the Church as a community before holding hands with Christ. A welcoming community for young people (such as the afternoon mass of St. Nicholas's Basilica in Nantes, with many young people) can attract those who seek. There they give them a brochure of "the mass for novices", so that they understand the ritual.Young Catholics feel sure that if they invite non-Christian friends they will be treated well and well received.Young people interested in faith, "beyond the explanations necessary to nurture faith and reason, times of prayer and praise are offered, chaplaincy allows them to experience the five essential elements of the discipleship: prayer, formation, mission, service and fraternity. In this way, in addition to the course, the catechumens are offered the possibility of getting involved in a punctual or long-term service. Through service, pilgrimages and masses, young people develop friendships with other Christians, open up to others and develop their personalities. This is how they structure their Christian life," explains Siboulet.From 30 to 100 catechemens in a few yearsIn Clermont-Ferrand, a city with 150,000 inhabitants not far from Lyon, more and more adults are receiving, about 100 adults will be baptized, half under 35 years old. Last year, about 70 asked for baptism. They went to the Romanesque church of Chamalières for the election rites and the group photo with the bishop.In previous years it was rarely more than 30, the diocese explains to the local press.Olivier de Germay, archbishop of Lyon and bishop responsible for the catechumenate, declares that "the letters of the catechumens clearly show the diversity of the mediations through which the Lord passed.One thing is certain in any case: the great challenge we now have ahead is to make disciples of them. It's not just about imagining recipes for some to 'preserve' them after baptism. It is our entire parish communities that must become aware of this collective mission and implement processes of incorporation, both before and after baptism."